Dowagiac is fortunate to have the lovely Riverside Cemetery. The past couple years, there has been quite a few complaints that the care is not what it used to be, with individual care not being given to many grave sites.

There are probably reasons for this. The cemetery gets longer, with more graves. Maybe the budget doesn’t have enough money for more workers. Many times there isn’t any family left to give care to graves.

I suggest that those who are able, that have loved ones buried at Riverside, could “adopt-a-grave” that does not get individual care.

It doesn’t have to cost anything.

Just rake and dispose of leaves around the headstone, possibly pull a few weeds, and, if any flowers are left over, you could place them at a forgotten grave.

This year, I am going to ask my teenage grandchildren to help.

We can make a difference.

Joan Belew

Dowagiac, Mich.